Risk of severe infections after the introduction of biologic DMARDs in people with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based interrupted time-series analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of the introduction of biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) on severe infections among people newly diagnosed with RA compared with non-RA individuals. METHODS: In this population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative data (from 1990-2015) for British Columbia, Canada, all incident RA patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2007 were identified. General population controls with no inflammatory arthritis were matched to RA patients based on age and gender, and were assigned the diagnosis date (i.e. index date) of the RA patients they were matched with. RA/controls were then divided into quarterly cohorts according to their index dates. The outcome of interest was all severe infections necessitating hospitalization or occurring during hospitalization after the index date. We calculated 8-year severe infection rates for each cohort and conducted interrupted time-series analyses to compare severe infection trends in RA/controls with index date during pre-bDMARDs (1995-2001) and post-bDMARDs (2003-2007) periods. RESULTS: A total of 60 226 and 588 499 incident RA/controls were identified. We identified 14 245 severe infections in RA, and 79 819 severe infections in controls. The 8-year severe infection rates decreased among RA/controls with increasing calendar year of index date in the pre-bDMARDs period, but increased over time only among RA, not controls, with index date in the post-bDMARDs period. The adjusted difference between the pre- and post-bDMARDs secular trends in 8-year severe infection rates was 1.85 (P = 0.001) in RA and 0.12 (P = 0.29) in non-RA. CONCLUSION: RA onset after bDMARDs introduction was associated with an elevated severe infection risk in RA patients compared with matched non-RA individuals.

Measuring skill-based health literacy in chronic airway disease patients: the development and psychometric evaluation of the Vancouver airways health literacy tool (VAHLT).

PURPOSE: This article describes the development of the Vancouver airways health literacy tool (VAHLT), a novel measure of skill-based health literacy specific to chronic airway diseases (CADs). Across several phases, psychometric characteristics of the VAHLT were examined and used to guide its development. METHODS: An initial pool of 46 items was developed using input from patients, clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers. An initial patient sample (N = 532) was evaluated and used to inform item revisions. A revised 44-item pool was then evaluated using a second sample, the results of which aided in the selection of a final set of 30 items. The finalized 30-item VAHLT was then psychometrically evaluated using the second sample (N = 318). An item response theory approach was utilized to evaluate the VAHLT by assessing model fit, item parameter estimates, test and item information curves, and item characteristic curves. Reliability was assessed using ordinal coefficient alpha. We additionally assessed differential item functioning between asthma and COPD diagnoses. RESULTS: The VAHLT demonstrated a unidimensional structure and reasonably discriminated patients in the lower range of health literacy estimates. The tool demonstrated strong reliability (α = .920). Two of the 30 items were found to exhibit non-negligible differential item functioning. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents compelling evidence of validity in several areas for the VAHLT, including content and structural validity. Further external validation studies are needed and forthcoming. Overall, this work represents a strong first step towards a novel, skill-based, and disease-specific measure of CAD-related health literacy.

Has the incidence of total joint arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis decreased in the era of biologics use? A population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the introduction of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) was associated with reduced incidences of total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) among patients with RA compared with OA. METHODS: Using a population-based cohort in British Columbia, Canada, RA and OA patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2007 were divided into semi-annual cohorts according to diagnosis date. For each cohort, we calculated 8-year incidence rates of THA and TKA. We compared levels and trends of THA/TKA incidence in RA/OA patients diagnosed during pre-bDMARDs (1995-2001) and post-bDMARDs (2003-2007) periods using interrupted time-series analysis, adjusting for baseline characteristics. Adjusted 8-year total joint arthroplasty incidence estimated for RA/OA cohorts diagnosed five years after bDMARDs introduction were compared with expected rates assuming no bDMARDs introduction, based on extrapolation of pre-bDMARDs trends. RESULTS: We identified 60 227 RA and 288 260 OA incident cases. For cohorts diagnosed pre-bDMARDs, 8-year THA/TKA incidence rates increased over time in both RA and OA. For cohorts diagnosed post-bDMARDs, these rates decreased over time in RA but continued to increase for OA. For RA, differences between the post- and pre-bDMARDs secular trends in incidence rates were -0.49 (P = 0.002) for THA and -0.36 (P = 0.003) for TKA, compared with +0.40 (P = 0.006) and +0.54 (P < 0.001), respectively, for OA. For RA cohorts diagnosed five years after bDMARDs introduction, 8-year incidences were 26.9% and 12.6% lower for THA and TKA, respectively, than expected rates. In contrast, corresponding rates in OA were higher by 11.7% and 16.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Arthritis onset after bDMARDs introduction is associated with a significant reduction in THA/TKA incidence in RA, but not in OA. The reduction reflects a significant improvement in RA treatment during the biological era.

Estimating Disease Prevalence in Administrative Data.

PURPOSE: Disease prevalence estimates from population-based administrative databases are often biased due to measurement (misclassification) errors. The purpose of this article is to review the methodology for estimating disease prevalence in administrative data, with a focus on bias correction. SOURCE: Several approaches to bias correction in administrative data were reviewed and application of these methods was demonstrated using an example from the literature: physician claims and hospitalization data were employed to estimate diabetes prevalence in Ontario, Canada. FINDINGS: Misclassification bias in prevalence estimates from administrative data can be reduced by developing and selecting an optimal algorithm for case identification, applying a bias correction formula, or using statistical modelling. An algorithm for which sensitivity equals positive predictive value provides an unbiased estimate of prevalence. Bias reduction methods generally require information about the measurement properties of the algorithm, such as sensitivity, specificity, or predictive value. These properties depend on disease type, prevalence, algorithm definition (including the observation window), and may vary by population and time. Prevalence estimates can be improved by applying multivariable disease prediction models. CONCLUSION: Frequency of a positive case identification algorithm in administrative data is generally not equivalent to disease prevalence. Although prevalence estimates can be corrected for bias using known measurement properties of the algorithm, these properties may be difficult to estimate accurately; therefore, disease prevalence estimates based on administrative data must be treated with caution.

Prevalence of joint-specific osteoarthritis and joint pain in British Columbia, Canada.

The objective is to determine the prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis (OA) and musculoskeletal symptoms (pain, stiffness or discomfort) in specific joints among adults in British Columbia (BC), Canada. We carried out a cross-sectional mixed-mode survey in a random population sample of persons 18 years of age and older. Estimates were weighted to reflect the age and sex distribution of the population of BC. We obtained responses from 2,233 individuals. Overall, 18.4% (95% CI 16.8-20.1) of the adult population reported OA. Of those, more than 40% had OA in multiple sites. Prevalence ranged from 8.8% (95% CI 7.6-10.1) in the knee to 2.7% (2.1-3.5) in the foot. One-year prevalence of symptoms ranged from 49.1% (47.0-51.2) in the lower back to 23.3% (21.5-25.1) in the hip. Females reported more symptoms and OA than males in all joints. The most common site of self-reported physician-diagnosed OA in BC is the knee, but OA in the hands, hips, and feet is also common. Having OA in one joint is a strong predictor of OA in other joints.

Reducing the burden of low back pain: results from a new microsimulation model.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) causes the highest morbidity burden globally. The purpose of the present study was to project and compare the impact of three strategies for reducing the population health burden of LBP: weight loss, ergonomic interventions, and an exercise program. METHODS: We have developed a microsimulation model of LBP in Canada using a new modeling platform called SimYouLate. The initial population was derived from Cycle 1 (2001) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). We modeled an open population 20 years of age and older. Key variables included age, sex, education, body mass index (BMI), type of work, having back problems, pain level in persons with back problems, and exercise participation. The effects of interventions on the risk of LBP were obtained from the CCHS for the effect of BMI, the Global Burden of Disease Study for occupational risks, and a published meta-analysis for the effect of exercise. All interventions lasted from 2021 to 2040. The population health impact of the interventions was calculated as a difference in years lived with disability (YLDs) between the base-case scenario and each intervention scenario, and expressed as YLDs averted per intervention unit or a proportion (%) of total LBP-related YLDs. RESULTS: In the base-case scenario, LBP in 2020 was responsible for 424,900 YLDs in Canada and the amount increased to 460,312 YLDs in 2040. The effects of the interventions were as follows: 27,993 (95% CI 23,373, 32,614) YLDs averted over 20 years per 0.1 unit change in log-transformed BMI (9.5% change in BMI) among individuals who were overweight and those with obesity, 19,416 (16,275, 22,557) YLDs per 1% reduction in the proportion of workers exposed to occupational risks, and 26,058 (22,455, 29,661) YLDs averted per 1% increase in the proportion of eligible patients with back problems participating in an exercise program. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides new data on the relationship between three types of interventions and the resultant reductions in LBP burden in Canada. According to our model, each of the interventions studied could potentially result in a substantial reduction in LBP-related disability.

Magnetic resonance imaging predictors (cartilage, osteophytes and meniscus) of prevalent and 3-year incident medial and lateral tibiofemoral knee joint tenderness and patellofemoral grind.

OBJECTIVE: To identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) predictors (cartilage [C], osteophytes [O] and meniscus [M] scores) of prevalent and 3-year incident medial tibiofemoral (MTF) and lateral tibiofemoral (LTF) knee joint tenderness and patellofemoral (PF) grind.  METHODS: Population-based knee pain cohort aged 40-79 was assessed at baseline (N = 255), 3- and 7-year follow-up (N = 108 × 2 = 216). COM scores were measured at 6/8/6 subregions respectively. Age-sex-BMI adjusted logistic models predicted prevalence versus relevant COM predictors (medial, lateral or patellar / trochlear groove scores). Fully adjusted models also included all relevant COM predictors. Binary generalized estimating equations models predicting 3-year incidence were also adjusted for individual follow-up time between cycles. RESULTS: Significant predictors of prevalent MTF tenderness: medial femoral cartilage (fully adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11, 3.05), female (aOR = 3.05; 1.67, 5.58), BMI (aOR = 1.53 per 5 units BMI; 1.10, 2.11). Predictors of prevalent LTF tenderness: female (aOR = 2.18; 1.22, 3.90). There were no predictors of prevalent PF grind in the fully adjusted model. However, medial patellar osteophytes was predictive in the age-sex-BMI adjusted model. There were no predictors of 3-year incident MTF tenderness. Predictors of 3-year incident LTF tenderness: female (aOR = 3.83; 1.25, 11.77). Predictors of 3-year incident PF grind: lateral patellar osteophytes (aOR = 4.82; 1.69, 13.77). In the age-sex-BMI adjusted model, patellar cartilage was also a predictor. CONCLUSION: We explored potential MRI predictors of prevalent and 3-year incident MTF/LTF knee joint tenderness and PF grind. These findings could guide preemptive strategies aimed at reducing these symptoms in the present and future (3-year incidence).

Specific manifestations of knee osteoarthritis predict depression and anxiety years in the future: Vancouver Longitudinal Study of Early Knee Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether knee osteoarthritis (OA) manifestations predict depression and anxiety using cross-sectional and longitudinal prediction models. METHODS: A population-based cohort (n = 122) with knee pain, aged 40-79, was evaluated at baseline, 3 and 7 years. Baseline predictors were: age decade; sex; BMI ≥ 25; physical exam knee effusion; crepitus; malalignment; quadriceps atrophy; flexion; flexion contracture; Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) x-ray grade (0/1/2/3+); WOMAC pain ≥25; WOMAC stiffness ≥25; self-reported knee swelling; and knee OA diagnosis (no/probable/definite). Depression and anxiety, cutoffs 5+ and 7+ respectively, were measured via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We fit logistic models at each cycle using multivariable models selected via lowest Akaike's information criterion. RESULTS: Baseline depression model: sex (female OR = 0.27; 0.10, 0.76) and KL grade (KL 1 OR = 4.21; 1.31, 13.48). Three-year depression model: KL grade (KL 1 OR = 18.92; 1.73, 206.25). Seven-year depression model: WOMAC stiffness ≥25 (OR = 3.49; 1.02, 11.94) and flexion contracture ≥1 degree (OR = 0.23; 0.07, 0.81). Baseline anxiety model: knee swelling (OR = 4.11; 1.51, 11.13) and age (50-59 vs. 40-49 OR = 0.31 [0.11, 0.85]; 60-69 OR = 0.07 [0.01, 0.42]). Three-year anxiety model: WOMAC stiffness ≥25 (OR = 5.80; 1.23, 27.29) and KL grade (KL 1 OR = 6.25; 1.04, 37.65). Seven-year anxiety model: sex (female OR = 2.71; 0.87, 8.46). CONCLUSION: Specific knee OA-related manifestations predict depression and anxiety cross-sectionally, 3 years in the future, and for depression, 7 years in the future. This information may prove useful to clinicians in helping to identify patients most at risk of present or future depression and anxiety, thus facilitating preemptive discussions that may help counter that risk.

Efficacy of commonly prescribed analgesics in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Pain management is a cornerstone of osteoarthritis (OA) management. The aim of this review is to obtain current, literature-based estimates of the effect of common pharmacologic treatments on pain reduction in OA. METHODS: A MEDLINE search (2006-2016) was conducted for randomized controlled trials studying acetaminophen, oral NSAIDs, topical NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, and opioids in the treatment of OA pain. Drug effect on pain was estimated using relative change in pain, and expressed as percentage change. An overall effect for each drug category was obtained as a weighted average of study-specific effects, with weights based on each study's sample size. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included. The effect on pain was estimated in a total of 43 treatment arms (acetaminophen n = 6, oral NSAIDs n = 9, topical NSAIDs n = 8, COX-2 inhibitors n = 9, and opioids n = 11). Relative (%) changes in pain were found to be as follows: acetaminophen = 32.5, oral NSAIDs = 34.3, topical NSAIDs = 40.9, COX-2 inhibitors = 36.9, and opioids = 35.4. CONCLUSION: The effects of 5 major drug categories in the treatment of OA pain were reviewed with data extracted from 29 studies published from 2006 to 2016. Acetaminophen was found to have an RC value close to that of oral NSAIDs. The effects of oral NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, and opioids in controlling pain were similar to what has been demonstrated in previous literature. Topical NSAIDs were found to have a greater RC than oral NSAIDs.

Burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990-2013: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.

OBJECTIVES: We used findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 to report the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). METHODS: The burden of musculoskeletal disorders was calculated for the EMR's 22 countries between 1990 and 2013. A systematic analysis was performed on mortality and morbidity data to estimate prevalence, death, years of live lost, years lived with disability and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). RESULTS: For musculoskeletal disorders, the crude DALYs rate per 100 000 increased from 1297.1 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 924.3-1703.4) in 1990 to 1606.0 (95% UI 1141.2-2130.4) in 2013. During 1990-2013, the total DALYs of musculoskeletal disorders increased by 105.2% in the EMR compared with a 58.0% increase in the rest of the world. The burden of musculoskeletal disorders as a proportion of total DALYs increased from 2.4% (95% UI 1.7-3.0) in 1990 to 4.7% (95% UI 3.6-5.8) in 2013. The range of point prevalence (per 1000) among the EMR countries was 28.2-136.0 for low back pain, 27.3-49.7 for neck pain, 9.7-37.3 for osteoarthritis (OA), 0.6-2.2 for rheumatoid arthritis and 0.1-0.8 for gout. Low back pain and neck pain had the highest burden in EMR countries. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a high burden of musculoskeletal disorders, with a faster increase in EMR compared with the rest of the world. The reasons for this faster increase need to be explored. Our findings call for incorporating prevention and control programmes that should include improving health data, addressing risk factors, providing evidence-based care and community programmes to increase awareness.

A Practical ANOVA Approach for Uncertainty Analysis in Population-Based Disease Microsimulation Models.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a practical approach for calculating uncertainty intervals and variance components associated with initial-condition and dynamic-equation parameters in computationally expensive population-based disease microsimulation models. METHODS: In the proposed uncertainty analysis approach, we calculated the required computational time and the number of runs given a user-defined error bound on the variance of the grand mean. The equations for optimal sample sizes were derived by minimizing the variance of the grand mean using initial estimates for variance components. Finally, analysis of variance estimators were used to calculate unbiased variance estimates. RESULTS: To illustrate the proposed approach, we performed uncertainty analysis to estimate the uncertainty associated with total direct cost of osteoarthritis in Canada from 2010 to 2031 according to a previously published population health microsimulation model of osteoarthritis. We first calculated crude estimates for initial-population sampling and dynamic-equation parameters uncertainty by performing a small number of runs. We then calculated the optimal sample sizes and finally derived 95% uncertainty intervals of the total cost and unbiased estimates for variance components. According to our results, the contribution of dynamic-equation parameter uncertainty to the overall variance was higher than that of initial parameter sampling uncertainty throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed analysis of variance approach provides the uncertainty intervals for the mean outcome in addition to unbiased estimates for each source of uncertainty. The contributions of each source of uncertainty can then be compared with each other for validation purposes so as to improve the model accuracy.

Association of body mass index with knee cartilage damage in an asymptomatic population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Cartilage changes are an important early finding of osteoarthritis (OA), which can exist even before symptoms. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of knee cartilage damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an asymptomatic population-based cross-sectional study and to evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI) with cartilage damage. METHODS: Subjects, aged 40-79 years, without knee pain (n = 73) were recruited as a random population sample and assessed for BMI (kg/m2), including current BMI (measured), past BMI at age 25 (self-reported) and change in BMI. Knee cartilage was scored semi-quantitatively (grades 0-4) on MRI. In primary analysis, cartilage damage was defined as ≥2 (at least moderate) and in a secondary analysis as ≥3 (severe). We also conducted a sensitivity analysis by dichotomizing current BMI as <25 vs. ≥25. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of each BMI variable with prevalent MRI-detected cartilage damage, adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Of 73 subjects, knee cartilage damage ≥2 and ≥3 was present in 65.4% and 28.7%, respectively. The median current BMI was 26.1, median past BMI 21.6, and median change in BMI was a gain of 2.8. For cartilage damage ≥2, current BMI had a non-statistically significant OR of 1.65 per 5 units (95% CI 0.93-2.92). For cartilage damage ≥3, current BMI showed a trend towards statistical significance with an OR of 1.70 per 5 units (95% CI 0.99-2.92). Past BMI and change in BMI were not significantly associated with cartilage damage. Current BMI ≥ 25 was statistically significantly associated with cartilage damage ≥2 (OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.10-8.42)), but not for ≥3 (OR 2.63 (95% CI 0.86-8.03)). CONCLUSIONS: MRI-detected knee cartilage damage was highly prevalent in this asymptomatic population-based cohort. We report a trend towards significance of BMI with cartilage damage severity. Subjects with abnormal current BMI (≥25) had a 3-fold increased odds of cartilage damage ≥2, compared to those with normal BMI. This study lends support towards the role of obesity in the pathogenesis of knee cartilage damage at an asymptomatic stage of disease.

Population Survey Features and Response Rates: A Randomized Experiment.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of several survey features on response rates in a general population health survey. METHODS: In 2012 and 2013, 8000 households in British Columbia, Canada, were randomly allocated to 1 of 7 survey variants, each containing a different combination of survey features. Features compared included administration modes (paper vs online), prepaid incentive ($2 coin vs none), lottery incentive (instant vs end-of-study), questionnaire length (10 minutes vs 30 minutes), and sampling frame (InfoCanada vs Canada Post). RESULTS: The overall response rate across the 7 groups was 27.9% (range = 17.1-43.4). All survey features except the sampling frame were associated with statistically significant differences in response rates. The survey mode elicited the largest effect on the odds of response (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.61, 2.59), whereas the sampling frame showed the least effect (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.98, 1.34). The highest response was achieved by mailing a short paper survey with a prepaid incentive. CONCLUSIONS: In a mailed general population health survey in Canada, a 40% to 50% response rate can be expected. Questionnaire administration mode, survey length, and type of incentive affect response rates.

Femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis of the hip.

OBJECTIVE: To outline the clinical presentation, physical examination findings, diagnostic criteria, and management options of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). SOURCES OF INFORMATION: PubMed was searched for relevant articles regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of FAI. MAIN MESSAGE: In recent years, FAI has been increasingly recognized as a potential precursor and an important contributor to hip pain in the adult population and idiopathic hip osteoarthritis later in life. Femoroacetabular impingement is a collection of bony morphologic abnormalities of the hip joint that result in abnormal contact during motion. Cam-type FAI relates to a non-spherical osseous prominence of the proximal femoral neck or head-neck junction. Pincer-type FAI relates to excessive acetabular coverage over the femoral head, which can occur owing to several morphologic variants. Patients with FAI present with chronic, deep, or aching anterior groin pain most commonly in the sitting position, or during or after activity. Patients might also experience occasional sharp pains during activity. A thorough history should be taken that includes incidence of trauma and exercise frequency. A physical examination should be performed that includes a full hip, low back, and abdominal examination to assess for alternate causes of anterior groin pain. Diagnosis of FAI should be confirmed with radiography. Femoroacetabular impingement can be managed conservatively with rest, modification of activities, medications, and physiotherapy, or it can be treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Femoroacetabular impingement is an important cause of anterior groin pain. Early recognition and intervention by the primary care provider might be critical to alleviating morbidity and preventing FAI progression.

National burden of rheumatoid arthritis in Canada, 1990-2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 - a GBD collaborator-led study.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and trends from 1990 to 2019 using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD) data, (2) to describe age and sex differences in RA and (3) to compare Canada's RA burden to that of other countries. METHODS: Disease burden indicators included prevalence, mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). GBD estimated fatal and non-fatal outcomes using published literature, survey data and health insurance claims. Data were analysed by Bayesian meta-regression, cause of death ensemble model and other statistical methods. DALYs for Canada were compared with DALYs of countries with similarly high Socio-Demographic Index values. RESULTS: In Canada, the RA prevalence rate increased by 27% between 1990 and 2019, mortality rate decreased by 27%, YLL rate decreased by 30%, YLD increased by 27% and DALY rate increased by 13%, all age standardised. The decline in RA mortality and YLL rates was especially pronounced after 2002. The disease burden was higher in females for all indicators, and DALY rates were higher among older age groups, peaking at age 75-79 years. Prevalence and DALYs were higher in Canada compared with global rates. CONCLUSION: Trends in RA burden indicators over time and differences by age and sex have important implications for Canadian policy-makers, researchers and care providers. Early identification and management of RA in women may help reduce the overall burden of RA in Canada.

Health trends in Canada 1990-2019: An analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.

OBJECTIVE: Monitoring trends in key population health indicators is important for informing health policies. The aim of this study was to examine population health trends in Canada over the past 30 years in relation to other countries. METHODS: We used data on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability, life expectancy (LE), and child mortality for Canada and other countries between 1990 and 2019 provided by the Global Burden of Disease Study. RESULTS: Life expectancy, age-standardized YLL, and age-standardized DALYs all improved in Canada between 1990 and 2019, although the rate of improvement has leveled off since 2011. The top five causes of all-age DALYs in Canada in 2019 were neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, and mental disorders. The greatest increases in all-age DALYs since 1990 were observed for substance use, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and sense organ disorders. Age-standardized DALYs declined for most conditions, except for substance use, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and musculoskeletal disorders, which increased by 94.6%, 14.6%, and 7.3% respectively since 1990. Canada's world ranking for age-standardized DALYs declined from 9th place in 1990 to 24th in 2019. CONCLUSION: Canadians are healthier today than in 1990, but progress has slowed in Canada in recent years in comparison with other high-income countries. The growing burden of substance abuse, diabetes/chronic kidney disease, and musculoskeletal diseases will require continued action to improve population health.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La surveillance des tendances des indicateurs clés de la santé de la population est importante pour éclairer les politiques de santé. Dans cette étude, nous avons examiné les tendances de la santé de la population au Canada au cours des 30 dernières années par rapport à d'autres pays. MéTHODES: Nous avons utilisé des données sur les années de vie ajustées en fonction de l'incapacité (DALY), les années de vie perdues (YLL), les années vécues avec un handicap, l'espérance de vie (LE) et la mortalité infantile pour le Canada et d'autres pays entre 1990 et 2019, fournies par l'Étude mondiale sur le fardeau de la maladie. RéSULTATS: L'espérance de vie, les YLL ajustées selon l'âge et les DALY ajustées selon l'âge ont tous connu une amélioration au Canada entre 1990 et 2019, bien que le taux d'amélioration se soit stabilisé depuis 2011. Les cinq principales causes des DALY pour tous les âges au Canada en 2019 étaient les néoplasmes, les maladies cardiovasculaires, les affections musculosquelettiques, les affections neurologiques et les troubles mentaux. Les plus fortes augmentations des DALY pour tous les âges depuis 1990 ont été observées pour l'usage de substances, le diabète et les maladies rénales chroniques, ainsi que les troubles des organes sensoriels. Les DALY ajustées selon l'âge ont diminué pour la plupart des conditions, à l'exception de l'usage de substances, du diabète et des maladies rénales chroniques, ainsi que des troubles musculosquelettiques, qui ont augmenté de 94,6 %, 14,6 % et 7,3 % respectivement depuis 1990. Le classement mondial du Canada pour les DALY ajustées selon l'âge est diminué de la 9ième place en 1990 à la 24ième place en 2019. CONCLUSION: Les Canadiens sont en meilleure santé aujourd'hui qu'en 1990, mais les progrès se sont ralentis ces dernières années par rapport à d'autres pays à revenu élevé. La croissance du fardeau lié à l'abus de substances, au diabète/maladies rénales chroniques et aux affections musculosquelettiques exigera des actions continues pour améliorer la santé de la population.

Relationship between arm morbidity and patient-reported outcomes following surgery in women with node-negative breast cancer: NSABP protocol B-32.

BACKGROUND: The impact of arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery on patient-observed changes in daily functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been well-studied. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of objective measures such as range of motion (ROM) and lymphedema, with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the arm and breast, upper extremity function, activities, and HRQoL. METHODS: The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Protocol B-32 was a randomized trial comparing sentinel node resection (SNR) with axillary dissection (AD) in women with node-negative breast cancer. ROM and arm volume were measured objectively. PROs included symptoms; arm function; limitations in social, recreational, occupational, and other regular activities; and a global index of HRQoL. Statistical methods included cross-tabulations and multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: In all, 744 women provided at least 1 postsurgery assessment. About one-third of the patients experienced arm mobility restrictions. A similar number of patients avoided the use of the arm 6 months after surgery. Limitations in work and other regular activities were reported by about a quarter of the patients. In this multivariable analysis, arm mobility and sensory neuropathy were predictors of patient-reported arm function and overall HRQoL. Predictors for activity limitations also included side of surgery (dominant vs nondominant). Edema was not significant after adjustment for sensory neuropathy and ROM. LIMITATIONS: Arm mobility and edema were measured simultaneously only once during the follow-up (6 months). CONCLUSION: Clinical measures of sensory neuropathy and restrictions in arm mobility following breast cancer surgery are associated with self-reported limitations in activity and reductions in overall HRQoL.

Development of a paper-and-pencil semi-adaptive questionnaire for 5 domains of health-related quality of life (PAT-5D-QOL).

OBJECTIVES: To develop a paper-and-pencil semi-adaptive test for 5 domains of health-related quality of life (PAT-5D-QOL) based on item response theory (IRT). METHODS: The questionnaire uses items from previously developed item banks for 5 domains: (1) walking, (2) handling objects, (3) daily activities, (4) pain or discomfort, and (5) feelings. For each domain, respondents are initially classified into 4 functional levels. Depending on the level, they are instructed to respond to a different set of 5 additional questions. IRT scores for each domain and overall health utility scores are obtained using a simple spreadsheet. The questions were selected using psychometric and conceptual criteria. The format of the questionnaire was developed through focus groups and cognitive interviews. Feasibility was tested in two population surveys. A simulation study was conducted to compare PAT-5D-QOL with a computerized adaptive test (CAT-5D-QOL) and a fixed questionnaire, developed from the same item banks, in terms of accuracy, bias, precision, and ceiling and floor effects. RESULTS: Close to 90 % of the participants in feasibility studies followed the skip instructions properly. In a simulation study, scores on PAT-5D-QOL for all domains tended to be more accurate, more precise, less biased, and less affected by a ceiling effect than scores on a fixed IRT-based questionnaire of the same length. PAT-5D-QOL was slightly inferior to a fully adaptive instrument. CONCLUSIONS: PAT-5D-QOL is a novel, semi-adaptive, IRT-based measure of health-related quality of life with a broad range of potential applications.

Does moderate or severe nonspecific knee injury affect radiographic osteoarthritis incidence and progression?

BACKGROUND: Knee injuries can lead to radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA). Injuries may be "specific" (SI) including ligament or meniscal tears or patellar trauma, or "nonspecific" (NSI). Our objective is to understand the effect of knee NSI on ROA incidence and progression. METHODS: 163 people (sample-weighted for population representativeness) aged 40+ with history of knee pain had radiographs assessed on Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grade (0/1 collapsed) at baseline and follow-up (median 3.2 years apart). Progression was an increase in KL score. SIs and NSIs were labeled "severe" (walking aid for ≥1 week) or "moderate". One model treated SI and NSI as dichotomous (yes/no), and another as trichotomous (none/moderate/severe). Models were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, KL grade and follow-up time. RESULTS: SI/NSI history was none, moderate (7.8/24.4%) or severe (11.0/10.8%). Duration at baseline since SI/NSI ranged from <1 year to several decades (SI/NSI mean 4.6/6.5 years). SI was significantly associated with ROA incidence and progression (odds ratio (OR) = 2.90; 95% CI = 1.04, 8.09), but NSI showed no significant effect (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 0.61, 3.02). In the trichotomous model, severe SI was significant (OR = 4.35, 95% CI = 1.26, 15.02), while moderate SI was not (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.33, 6.84). NSI showed no effect: moderate OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.61, 3.74; severe OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.24, 3.40. This study had 80% power to detect an NSI OR of 2.9. CONCLUSION: We find no evidence that history of NSI affects knee ROA incidence and progression in a population with knee pain, adjusting for SI, age, sex, BMI, KL grade and follow-up time.

Evaluation of a New Performance-Based Health Literacy Measurement Tool for Individuals With Chronic Airways Disease.

BACKGROUND: Low health literacy is a global challenge. Health literacy is positively correlated with chronic airways disease desirable outcomes. Despite the importance of health literacy in disease management, current health literacy measurement tools are suboptimal. As part of a multi-stage project to develop a performance-based, disease-specific Vancouver Airways Health Literacy Tool (VAHLT) for individuals with chronic airways disease, this study assessed the relationships between the VAHLT scores and characteristics of patients with chronic airways disease. The primary aim of the study was to provide preliminary evidence of construct validity of the VAHLT. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was applied. Study subjects were recruited from 6 specialty care clinics to complete the VAHLT measurement tool. Demographic and clinical data, including quality of life and disease control, were collected via validated questionnaires. The study subjects also completed a spirometry test. Inferential analysis was conducted by using mean difference testing and correlational methods. RESULTS: A total of 320 subjects were recruited, and, after imputing missing data, 315 were ultimately analyzed. The subjects were predominantly women (61%), white (83%), had a post-high-school education (74%), and a mean ± SD age of 65.2 ± 13.2 y. Age was significantly negatively correlated with the VAHLT scores (P = .004); the subjects with a post-high school education had significantly higher VAHLT scores than those with a high school education or less (P < .001). No significant sex or ethnicity related differences in VAHLT scores were observed. For clinical outcomes, no significant differences were found between the VAHLT scores and disease severity or measures of quality of life and asthma control. CONCLUSIONS: We report a chronic airways disease-specific health literacy measurement tool developed with the involvement of patients and professionals. Age and education were highly correlated with health literacy, which emphasizes the importance of addressing these factors in health literacy interventions among patients with chronic airways disease.